Lay Stakeholders in Science and Research Initiative: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association (AHA) is the largest not-for-profit funder of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research in the United States. It has supported research of independent scientists for 7 decades with the goal of finding novel discoveries that will reduce death and disability from these diseases and ultimately improve overall health. In 2014, the AHA approved a pilot initiative to include lay stakeholders (patients, caregivers, and passionate advocates) in its research and science operations.

Toxicity and efficacy of the acetylcholinesterase (AChe) inhibitor donepezil in childhood brain tumor survivors: a pilot study.

Background: Neurocognitive deficits are a recognized late effect of curative brain tumor therapy. We evaluated the feasibility, tolerance, and impact of a pilot pharmacologic intervention with the acetylcholinesterase (AChe) inhibitor, donepezil, in pediatric brain tumor (BT) survivors at risk for neurocognitive dysfunction.

Procedure: A single institution open-label pilot study was conducted in childhood BT survivors: ≥1 year from cancer treatment; and who received >23.